By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA – More than half of gender-based violence cases involving adolescents in public secondary schools happen right inside the school premises in the Federal Capital Territory, a new survey has revealed.

The findings by Illmi Children’s Fund suggest that many students are facing harassment and abuse in places that are supposed to keep them safe, raising fresh concerns about protection and accountability in public schools.

The report was presented to stakeholders in Abuja under the Adolescent Safety in All Spaces (ASIS) Project. Gender Lead at the organisation, Tovia Muo.

The survey involved more than 1,530 students aged between 10 and 17 across 18 public schools in the territory. About 85 per cent of those who took part were girls.

Schools, which are expected to be among the safest places for young people, accounted for 56 per cent of reported gender-based violence cases, according to the findings. Another 26 per cent happened at home, 11 per cent during commutes, and seven per cent online.

Verbal harassment was the most common form of abuse reported by students. The survey found that 47 per cent of cases involved verbal abuse, while physical abuse accounted for 13 per cent.

Even more worrying, 28 per cent of students reported attempted or actual rape, while 12 per cent said they had experienced sexual assault, highlighting how vulnerable many adolescents remain both in and outside school.

Peers were identified as the main perpetrators, responsible for 47 per cent of the cases. Strangers accounted for 29 per cent, while teachers and family members each made up 13 per cent.

Fear remains the biggest reason many victims do not report abuse. About 35 per cent of the students said they were too afraid to speak up. Another 26 per cent said they did not trust authorities, while 13 per cent admitted they did not know where to report such incidents.

“Nigeria has laws like the Child Rights Act and the Violence Against Persons Act, which are meant to protect children. The challenge is implementation. Schools, communities, and government agencies must enforce these policies effectively. NGOs alone cannot ensure adolescent safety. Collective effort is essential,” said Muo.

On her part, the Acting Executive Chairman of the FCT Universal Basic Education Board, Florence Dawon, spoke about the findings and the need for stronger collaboration to protect students.

“At adolescence, children face many challenges. We observe and guide them through counselling officers, principals, and committed teachers, and we encourage them to open up about their problems.

Collaboration with parents and the community ensures we can address these challenges effectively,” Dawon said.

The project placed students at the centre of the research through gender and safety clubs, peer-led discussions, and school safety mapping exercises that allowed them to identify risks in their environment and talk openly about the challenges they face.

The report recommended creating anonymous reporting channels in schools to help reduce fear and stigma. It also called for teachers and counsellors to be trained as safe allies who can respond quickly and properly when cases of abuse arise.

For many students, the findings suggest that the school day, meant to be a place of learning and safety, can also be where their sense of security feels most fragile.